Manifolding apparatus



July 21, 1936. F. R. F'oRD' MANIFOLDING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 9, 1935 5Sheets-Sheet l III! II illl 'NVEHTO R! FRHNK Rounu: FORD July 21, 1936.F. R. FORD 2,048,543

MANIFOLDING APPARATUS FRHNK Rwmo FOR 0 July 21-, 1936. F. R. FORDMANIFOLDING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 9, 1935 as s as 24 las *////////////////1 .J I l llllllllllllllh n W 0 M W rwg 0 NH T v TV0. H NR K //IIA I July 21; 1936. R, FORD 2,048,543

MANIFOLDING APPARATUS Filed NOV. 9, 1935 5 Shets-Sheet 4 zit/1111117114X155" 1 & 1

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44 47 E E Z 6 IN vENTo R: FRHNK RONHLO Fono RTTORNEYS July 21, 1936.FORD 2,048,543

MANIFOLDING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 9, 1935 5 Sheets$heet 5 HTTORNEYSPatented July 21, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application November9, 1935, Serial No. 49,066 In Great Britain May 29, 1934 15 Claims.

This invention relates to manifolding machines for use in making copiesfrom a master sheet which bears in reversed script the matter to bereproduced, and has particular reference to machines of the typecomprising a pairof rollers between which the master sheet and amoistened copy sheet may be passed in pressure contact, said mastersheet being secured to one of said rollers, a stationary moistening pad,and a presser memw ber adapted to press said copy sheet against saidmoistening pad.

As hitherto constructed, apparatus of the above type has provedunsuitable for rapid operation, owing to the fact that each time thepresser member is allowed to descend on to a fresh copy sheet it tendsto rebound or bounce away from the copy sheet and the pad momentarily,with the result that the copy sheet shows a line or narrow strip wherethe moistening of the paper is imperfect.

This efiect is believed to be due, in the main, to

i the fact that the moistening pad and its container are not supportedwith sufiicient rigidity,

so that the presser member actually drops on to 23 a support which is tosome extent resilient, and

one object of the present invention is to over-- come the diflicultyabove referred to.

A second object of the invention is to provide an improved constructionof the presser member r aforesaid, thepressure obtained from which hashitherto been due merely to the weight of such member. The constructionhereinafter described causes less friction to be applied to the copysheet during moistening than has previously been the case, as well aspermitting more'even moistening of the sheet.

In machines of the type to which the invention relates, it is necessaryto provide for the raising of the presser member from the moistening padto allow successive copy sheets to be fed between the rollers. This iseiiected by mounting the presser member on swinging arms and arranging acam associated with one .of the rollers to engage an abutment on one ofsaid arms at each revolu-' tion.

It is found in practice that a considerable degree of accuracy inworkmanship and assembly is necessary in order that the movement of thepresser member may be efiected at the correct moment, having regard tothe angular position of the roller associated with the cam, which rollerhas the master sheet clamped thereto.

A third object of the invention is to provide an improved constructionof apparatus which will not require the same precision in manufactureand assembly of the parts as hitherto.

vide improved operating means for the clamping 1 V member.

Further objects of the invention are to provide an improved constructionof container for the moistening pad, to provide improved means wherebythe pressure exerted on the other roller 15 by the one which carries themaster sheet can be equalized over the whole length of such roller, andto provide an improved means of checking the movement of the rollercarrying the master sheet after each fresh copy has been taken and whenthe presser member aforesaid is raised.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a manifolding machine arranged inaccordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Figure 1, showing both ends ofthe roller which carries the master sheet.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the machine.

Figure 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a sectional view of a detail shown in Figure 4.

Figure t: is a section substantially on the line 6--6 of Figure 3.Figure 7 is a section on the line I-1 of Figure 6, and

Figure 8 is a section on the line 88 of Figure 3.

In the construction illustrated, the apparatus comprises side members I,I secured together by tie-rods 2, 2 and having mounted between them atransversely disposed impression cylinder 3 to which one edge of amaster sheet 4 can be clamped as hereinafter described. The spindle 5associated with the cylinder 3 may be rotated through spur gears 6, 1, 8from a hand crank 9, or it may be operated by power means if desired.

" Between the side members I, I is also arranged a tank I0 holding amoistening fluid, which is fed by wicks I I to a moistening pad I2 in acontainer I3. This container extends from one'end of the tank I0 towardsthe cylinder; being disposed substantially tangentially in relation tothe latter and terminating adjacent the surface thereof.

Thepadcontainer I3 mlybeanintelrllpart of the tank I0, and may be formedas a shallow tray extending from the upper edge of the latter. In theconstruction shown, however, the top of the tank Ill is formed as a castor other plate l4 which overhangs one side of the tank, this overhangingportion being recessed to constitute the pad container l3. The wicks Hare brought up through slots I5 in the top plate I4 and are suitablysecured beneath the pad l2.

The operative portion of the pad I2 is that which lies immediatelyadjacent the outer longitudinal edge thereof, and this marginal portionmay be protected by a covering |6 of thin wash leather or other suitableabsorbent material.

The upper surface of the plate has mounted thereon a slidable covermember I? and is provided with a pair of spaced guide blocks l8, l8having straight and parallel edges which enter slots I9, I 9 ofcorresponding form in the cover member These slots are arranged at rightangles to the operative longitudinal edge of the pad l2 and are longerthan the guide blocks l8, It! so that the cover member IT can be sliddento Wards or away from said edge to a limited extent. For this purposethe rear edge of the cover member may be formed or provided with ahandle 20.

The slots and guide blocks aforesaid are preferably so arranged that inone extreme position of the cover member H the operative portion only ofthe pad I2 is uncovered to enable the copy sheets to be moistenedthereon, whilst in its other extreme position the cover member almost orcompletely covers the upper surface .of the pad and thus prevents undueevaporation of the moistening fluid when the machine is out of use.

If desired, a third slot and guide block may be provided intermediatethe other two and nearer the pad l2, the triangular arrangement of theslots and guide blocks in such a case ensuring that the edge of thecover member remains parallel to the edge of the pad l2 when said memberis being slidden.-

The cover member may be detachably secured to the top plate M by meansof screws 2|, 2| which screw into the guide blocks l8, l8 and normallyprevent the complete removal of the cover member Preferably washers 22,22 and/or springs are engaged between the heads of such screws and theupper face of the cover member l1, so that by tightening up the screwsthe cover member may be secured in any adjusted position. When it isdesired to replace or adjust the pad I2 or the wicks II, the screws 2|,2| may be removed and the cover member lifted off.

After the master sheet has been secured in place on the cylinder 3, thelatter is rotated. and copy sheets (indicated at 22) may be fed down asuitable chute 23 and passed between the cylinder and a pressure roller24 mounted above the latter.

Above the moistening pad I2 is arranged a presser member extendingtransversely of the machine and carried by a pair of levers 25, 25 whichare pivoted on pins 26, 26 secured to the side members I, I. The pressermember may be constructed as a bar which is fixed to the ends of thelevers 25, 25, but preferably takes the form of a roller 21 as shown.

This roller 21 may be made of metal, or other rigid material such asvulcanite or fibre, or alternatively it may be formed of, or coveredwith,

a soft material such as rubber. For example, it may be provided with arubber or other sleeve.

Means are preferably provided for adjusting the roller 21 in relation tothe ends of the levers 25, 25 and in the convenient arrangement showneach extremity 23 of the roller is journalled in a block 30 having anupwardly-extending stem 3| which passes through the end of the adjacentlever 25 and can. be secured in its adjusted position by means of nuts33, 33 above and below the latter. I

Normally the presser member rests in contact with the moistening pad I2, but is raised or moved away therefrom periodically during theoperation of the machine by means of a cam 34 secured to the cylinder 3.Preferably a cam 34 is secured at each end of the cylinderso that thelevers 25, 25 are individually operated, and these cams may act uponrollers 35, 35 carried by members which extend downwardly from thelevers aforesaid. Alternatively, the cams may act on links which may bepivoted at one end to the frame of the machine and are connected at theother end to the levers 25, 25, each of these links, if desired, beingprovided with a roller for engagement by one of the cams.'

The downwardly-extending members which carry, the rollers 35, 35 maycomprise arms or abutments which are integral with the levers, butpreferably the rollers are mounted upon the ends of pins 36, 36 whichextend through slots 31, 31 in the levers 25, 25, these pins havingscrew threaded stems and being each provided with a pair of clampingnuts 38, 38 disposed one above and one below the adjacent lever 25. Byemploying this arrangement each roller 35 can be adjusted either in adirection which is radial to the cylinder 3, or in a direction along thelength of the lever 25. The arrangement is preferably such that bothsuch adjustments are possible. Adjustments are made by loosening thenuts 38, 38 and moving the threaded pin 36 into the correct position,after which the nuts are retightened.

By this means, the rollers 35, 35 or abutments may be adjusted tocompensate for any inaccuracies in the manufacture or assembly of thecams 34, 34 or of the moistening apparatus, and/or reset from time totime when the machine is in use to compensate for the effects of wear onthe cams or rollers, or on the bearings of the latter.

The cams 34, 34 are set so as to engage the rollers 35, 35 some timebefore the leading edge of the master sheet comes beneath the pressureroller 24 and thus cause the presser member to be raised so that a copysheet 22 can be passed between it and the pad |2 and can be engagedbetween the pressure roller 24 and the cylinder 3. The arrangement alsoenables the machine, when out of use, to be left with the presser memberheld clear of the pad l2.

Means may be provided for checking the rotation ,of the cylinder 3 atthis point, and preferably such means include a spring detent whichco-operates with a disc 39 fixed to the spindle 6 of the cylinder andhaving a notch 40 in its periphery which is engaged by the detent whenthe presser member is clear of the pad I 2.

The detent aforesaid may comprise a. pin 4| disposed substantiallyradially in relation to the disc 39 and slidable endwise in a hole in asuitable abutment provided on the machine, which abutment may be one ofthe tie-rods 2, 2.

The extremity of the pin 4| which lies adjacent the disc 39 may besecured to the upper end of a aoeaeee resilient arm or bracket 42arranged in an upright position and approximately tangentially inrelation to the disc 39. The lower end of the arm or bracket may besecured to an inward projection 43 on the adjacent side member I of themachine.

The upper end of the arm 42 is formed with two lateral ears 44, 44 whichare bent towards the disc 39 in parallel relationship, and between theseears is rotatably mounted a roller 45.

The part of the pin 4| adjacent the arm 42 is screw threaded and carriesa nut 46 which forms an adjustable shoulder on the pin, a helicalcompression spring 41 being placed on the latter and engaged betweensuch shoulder and the tie-rod 2 so as to press the roller 45 against theperiphery of the disc 39.

When the cams 34, 34 on the cylinder 3 pass the rollers 35, 35, thelevers 25, 25 are allowed to drop so that the presser member comes intocontact with the copy sheet 22 and presses it against the moistening pad12 until the cylinder 3 has completed a revolution.

Hitherto the pad container l3 has been supported only by reason of thefact that it is integral with, or attached to, one side of the tank it,and it is thus to some extent resilient. In applying the presentinvention, however, an additional support is provided for stiffening thepad container I3, and this support or stiffening member may take theform of a rod 48 or bolt extending under or through the pad containerand transversely of the machine, the ends of this stiffening memberbeing carried by the side members i, i.

In the convenient arrangement shown, the stiiI- ening rod 48 is ofsquare section, and is disposed immediately beneath the pad container i3with its ends supported in blocks or brackets 49, 49 which are securedto the inner faces of the side members I, I. Preferably these blocks orbrackets are slotted as at 50, 56 to receive the ends of the rod 48,which are acted upon by set screws 5| passing upwardly through theblocks or brackets 49, 49, adjustment of these screws enabling thestiffening rod 48 to be pressed firmly against the underside of thecontainer l3. A lock nut 52 may be provided on each screw 55 to retainthe rod 48 in its adjusted position. The pad 12 is thus rigidlysupported, so that there is no tendency for the presser member to bounceafter coming into contact therewith and an even pressure is exerted onthe copy sheet 22 throughout the full length of the latter.

In order to provide for an adequate pressure on the copy sheet duringthe moistening .operation, the presser member is preferably acted uponby a spring or springs. In the convenient arrangement shown, the pin ason which each lever 25 is mounted is formed with a shoulder 53 and acoaxial stem 54 which passes through the adjacent side member 5 and issecured by a nut '55 at the outer side of the latter. A shouldered nut56 is secured to the inner end of each pin 26 by a set screw 5'! andforms an abutment for one end 58 of a helical torsion spring 59 which isthreaded on the nut 56 between the shoulder.

any angular position so that the torsion or pressure exerted by-thespring 59 can be adjusted as desired.

The master sheet 4 is secured to the cylinder 3 during operation of themachine by means of a clamping device associated with the cylinder andadapted to engage one edge of the master sheet along the entire lengththereof.

Preferably the cylinder 3 is formed by a casting operation and has anintegral boss H on its interior which extends longitudinally of thecylinder parallel to the axis thereof and a tube 62 is cast into thisboss so as to lie a short distance below the peripheral surface of thecylinder as shown.

The cylinder is slotted longitudinaly at 63, this slotextendingin aninclined direction from the peripheral surface of the cylinder to theinterior of the tube 62 and also extending along the entire length ofthe cylinder parallel to the axis thereof.

Within the tube 62 is disposed a clamping rod 64 of cylindrical form andof such diameter that it can be readily oscillated within the tube aboutits own axis.

The rod 64 is provided at one end with a head or flange 65 which abutsagainst one end face of the cylinder 3 when the rod is in position inthe tube 52, the other end of the rod 64 being of reduced diameter andprojecting from the opposite end face of the cylinder. A collar 65secured to this reduced end of the rod 64 prevents the latter fromleaving the tube, whilst permitting its oscillation therewithin.

In the rod 64 is formed a groove 61 which extends longitudinally alongthe entire length of the rod and radially across this section of the rodto the centre of the latter. This groove 61 can be brought into or outof alignment with the slot 63 by oscillating the rod 64.

The slot 63 is of sufficient width to enable the edge of the mastersheet 4 to be entered therein, but is insuflicient to interfere with theoperation of the cylinder 3, and since no part of the clamping deviceprojects above the peripheral surface of the latter, there is theminimum possible interference with the efficient engagement of themaster sheet around the surface of the cylinder.

The oscillatory movement of the rod 54 is limited by means of'a radiallyprojecting pin 68 on the collar 66, which pin co-operates with stops orprojections 69, 39 on the end of the cylinder 3, the groove 61 beingaligned with the slot 63 in one extreme position of the rod 64 and outof alignment with said slot in the other extreme position of the rod.

The rod 54 may be retained in either of its extreme positions by meansof a retaining spring strip l9 anchored at one end to a screw H in theend of the cylinder and provided at its free end with a curved portion72 adapted to engage in one of a pair of depressions or recesses l3, itin the periphery of the collar 96 aforesaid.

Operating means are provided for turning the clamping rod 64 from one tothe other of its extreme positions, said means including a pin '44having at its outer end a handle 1'5 and at its inner end a flange '56on which are provided a pair of diametrically opposed projections H, Tiadapted to be engaged operatively with a pair of holes or recesses '48,18 in the collar 66.

The pin 74 is mounted in a bearing 19 in the adjacent side member I ofthe machine, this bear ing having at one end a reduced screw-threadedportion 89 which is passed through a hole in the side member andretained in position by a nut 8! at the outer side of the member I. 7

An inwardly facing shoulder 82 is provided near the centre of the pin14, and a helical compression spring 83 located within the reduced endof the bearing 19, is engaged between this shoulder and a furthershoulder 84 at the inner end of the hole in the bearing. The latter isformed with a diametrical slot 85 which extends longitudinally parallelto the axis of the bearing, and in this slot 85 is engaged a cross-bar86 which projects transversely from and is fixed to the pin 14.

When the pin 14 is in the normal or inoperative position shown, itcannot be oscillated until it has first been slidden inwardly againstthe action of the spring 83, so as to bring the cross-bar 86 clear ofthe slot 85, this endwise movement of the pin being sufiicient to engagethe projections 11, 11 in the holes or recesses 18, 18, provided thatthe clamping rod 54 is in alignment with the end of the pin 14.

In order to clamp the master sheet 4 upon the cylinder 3, the latter isrotated until the rod 64 and pin 14 are in line, after which the pin isforced inwardly until the projections 11, 11 are engaged in the holes orrecesses 18, 18 as aforesaid.

The pin 14 is then turned on its own axis so as to oscillate theclamping rod 64 into a position in which the groove 61 therein isaligned with the 83 into the groove 61, whereupon it may be clampedrigidly in position by oscillating the rod 64 into its other extremeposition, in which the groove 61 and slot 63 are out of alignment andthe sheet is engaged between their edges.

The return movement of the pin 14 necessary to clamp the master sheetaligns the cross bar 86 with the end of the slot 85, and when the handle15 is released the spring 83 returns the operating member to itsinoperative position.

The spring strip 18 retains the rod 64 in the clamping position, and themaster sheet 4 is held firmly along the entire length of one edge untilthe clamping device is released by means of the pin 14.

An advantage of the operating means described above is that when the pin14 has been slidden to engage the projections 11, 11 in the holes orrecesses 18, 18 and the rod 84 has been turned to bring the groove 61and slot 63 into register, the. cylinder 3 is locked against rotationand cannot be moved by operating the crank I8, until the rod 64 has beenreturned to the clamping position and the pin 14 released.

It is thus impossible to operate the machine with the clamping device inthe open position, so that there is no risk of inefllcient copies beingproduced owing to movements of the master sheet 4 during the manifoldingoperation.

It is important that the pressure exerted on the cylinder 3 by theroller 24 during operation of the machine shall be equalized over thewhole length of such roller, and this may be effected by providingseparate springs which act transversely at opposite ends of the spindle81 on which the roller is mounted so as to press the latter against thecylinder 3, separate screw-operated means being also provided forincreasing or decreasing the compression or tension of each spring,whereby the pressure exerted at one end of the roller 24 may be adjustedindependently of the other end.

The ends of the spindle 81 of the roller 24 engage in bearings 88, 88which are mounted in suitable guide channels 89, 89, so that they canslide towards or away from the axis of the cylinder 3.

end of a downwardly extending rod 98, the lower end of which isscrew-threaded at 9| and passes through a crank pin 92 associated with acrank arm 93 on a rock shaft 94 extending transversely of the machine.The free end of each crank arm 93 may be forkedto accommodate thethreaded end 9I of the rod 98, which passes with clearance through adiametral hole in the crank pin 92, the latter being rotatably supportedat its ends in the forked end of the crank arm.

A helical compression spring 95 is placed on the end of each rod 98below the crank pin 92 and is engaged between the latter and a washer 96which is held in place by an adjusting nut 91.

A flat or flats may be formed on the screwthreaded portion 9| of eachrod 98 as at 98 and the aperture in each washer 98 may be made ofsuitable non-circular section so that it cannot rotate when beingadjusted along the length of the rod 98 by the nut 91. The coactingfaces of the washer 96 and nut 91 may be provided with interengagingserrations and recesses as at 99, so that the nut is retainedfrictionally in its adjusted position.

It will be seen that the springs 95, 95 act to draw the roller 24 downagainst the cylinder, and the separate adjusting means provided enablethe spring pressures acting on opposite ends of the roller 24 to beadjusted independently.

The rock shaft 94 may have attached thereto, at the side opposite to thecrank arms 93, 93, an operating lever I88 having its free end bentlaterally so as to project through an arcuate slot MI in the adjacentside member I of the machine.

During the manifolding operation this lever I88 is supported near theupper end of the slot ml by means of an inwardly-projecting stop peg I82which engages beneath it. In this position of the operating lever thebearings 88, 88 are held down by the crank arms 93, 93 and rods 98, 98,so that the roller 24 as a whole is forced resiliently against thecylinder 3 with a pressure dependent on the amount to which the springs95, 95 are compressed. The stop peg I82 is mounted eccentrically on anoscillatable disc I83 having a stem I84 which extends through the sidemember I of the machine and is provided externally thereof with a'knobor handle I85. Rotation of this knob I alters the position of theeccentric stop peg I82, the angular position of the lever I88, and hencethe pressure exerted by the roller 24 when in its operative position,being thus adjusted.

In order that the roller 24 may be raised from the cylinder 3 tofacilitate the operation of clamp ing the master sheet 4 to the latter,the lever I88 is made flexible in a transverse direction and is thuscapable of being bent inwards to clear the end of the stop peg I82 whenpressure is applied to its free end, which latter may carry a suitablebutton or knob I86. A tension spring I81, assisted by the main springs95, 95, acts to move the lever I88 towards the lower end of the slot I8|upon release from'the stop peg I82, and in consequence the crank arms93, 93 move upwardly. This brings each crank pin 92 into engagement withthe lower end of an abutment nut I88 of sleeve-like form which isscrewed on the rod 98 abov'ethe crank pin and which can be adjustedlongitudinally of said rod. A lock-nut I89 retains each abutment nut I88in its adjusted position.

What I claim then is:

1. A manifolding machine comprising a stationary frame, a pair ofrollers between which a aosases master sheet and a moistened copy sheetmay be passed pressure contact, a stationary moistening pad, a pressermember adapted to press said copy sheet against said moistening pad, acontainer for said pad, an inherently rigid rod disposed transversely ofsaid frame, slotted brackets on the sides of said frame which receivethe ends of said rod, and set screws engaging in said bracket andadjustable to force said rod against the underside of said padcontainer.

2. A manifolding machine comprising a pair of rollers between which amaster sheet and a moistened copy sheet may be passed in pressurecontact, a stationary moistening pad, a presser member adapted to presssaid copy sheet against said moistening pad, swinging arms carrying saidpresser member, a torsion spring acting on said arms to press saidpresser member against said copy sheet and pad, a nut attached to oneend of said spring and rotatable to adjust the torsion exerted thereby,and means for locking said nut angularly.

3. A manifolding machine comprising a pair of rollers between which amaster sheet and a moistened copy sheet may be passed in pressure contact, a stationary moistening pad, a presser member adapted to presssaid copy sheet against said moistening pad swinging arms carrying saidpresser member, a cam associated with one of said rollers, an abutmenton one of said arms which is engaged by said cam for efiectingperiodical raising of said presser member to allow insertion of freshcopy sheets, a threaded stem on said abutment extending through alongitudinal slot in said arm, and clamping nuts provided on said stemabove and below said arm to allow the length of said abutment to beadjusted.

4. A manifolding machine comprising a stationary frame, a pair ofrollers between which a master sheet and a moistened copy sheet may bepassed in pressure contact, one of said rollers being formed with alongitudinal recess which is spaced from the peripheral surface of saidroller and connected thereto by a slot, a clamping member mounted insaid recess and extending substantially the whole length of said roller,said clamping member having a longitudinal groove therein and beingturnable about an axis parallel to its length, whereby said groove maybe aligned with said slot to allow insertion of one edge or end of saidmaster sheet therein or moved to a further position in which said grooveand slot are out of register so as to clamp said master sheet, and a pinmounted on said stationary frame opposite to the end of the rollercarrying said master sheet, said pin being movable endwise to engagesaid clamping member and turnable to operate same.

5. A manifolding machine comprising a stationary frame, a pair ofrollers between which a master sheet and a moistened copy sheet may bepassed in pressure contact, one of said rollers being formed with alongitudinal recess which is spaced from the peripheral surface of saidroller and connected thereto by a slot, a clamping member mounted insaid recess and extending substantially the whole length of said roller,said clamping member having a longitudinal groove therein and beingturnable about an axis arallel to its length, whereby said groove may bealigned with said slot to allow insertion of one edge or end of saidmaster sheet therein or moved to a further position in which said grooveand slot are out of register so as to clamp said spaced from theperipheral surface of said roller and connected thereto by a slot, aclamping memher mounted in said recess and extending substantially thewhole length of said roller, said clamping member having a longitudinalgroove therein and being turnable about an axis parallel to its length,whereby said groove may be aligned with said slot to allow insertion ofone edge or end of said master sheet therein or moved to a furtherposition in which said groove and slot are out of register so as toclamp said master sheet, a pin mounted on said stationary frame oppositeto the end of the roller carrying said master sheet, said pin beingmovable endwise to engage said clamping member and turnable to operatesame, means for preventing turning movement of said pin except when inoperative so engagement with said clamping member, and means forpreventing said pin from return endwise movement of said pin aiter saidclamping member has been opened thereby until said member has beenturned to its closed position.

7. A maniiolding machine comprising a pair of rollers between which amaster sheet and a moistened copy sheet may be passed in pressurecontact, one of said rollers being formed with a longitudinal recesswhich is spaced from the peripheral surface of said roller and connectedthereto by a slot, a. tube fixed within said recess and having a slot inpermanent alignment with the slot in said roller and a cylindricalclamping member fitting closely in said tube and extending substantiallythe whole length of said roller, said clamping member having alongitudinal groove therein and being turnable about an axis parallel toits length, whereby said groove may be aligned with said slots to allowinsertion of one edge or end of said master sheet therein and moved to afurther position in which said groove is out of register with said slotsso that master sheet is nipped between one inner edge of 55 the slot insaid tube and one edge of said groove.

8. A manifolding machine comprising a pair of rollers between which amaster sheet and a moistened copy sheet may be passed in pressurecontact, a tube cast into one of said rollers at h a short distancebelow the peripheral surface thereof, said tube having a longitudinalslot therein and being arranged parallel to the axis of said roller,said last-mentioned roller having a longitudinal slot therein whichextends in an inclined direction from the peripheral surface of saidroller to the interior of said tube and is in permanent alignment withthe slot in the latter, and a cylindrical clamping member fittingclosely in said tube and extending substantially the Whole 7 length ofsaid roller, said clamping member having a longitudinal groove thereinand being turnable about an axis parallel to its length, whereby saidgroove may be aligned with said slots to allow insertion of one edge orend of said master sheet therein and subsequently moved to a furtherposition in which said groove is out of register with said slots so thatsaid master sheet is nipped between one inner edge of the slot in saidtubeand one edge of said groove.

9. A manifolding machine comprising a pair of rollers between whichamaster sheet and a moistened copy sheet may be passed in pressurecontact, one of said rollers being formed with a longitudinal recesswhich is spaced from the peripheral surface of said roller and connectedthereto by a'slot, a clamping member mounted in said recess andextending substantially the whole length of said roller, said clampingmemher having a longitudinal groove therein and being turnable about anaxis parallel to its length, whereby said groove may be aligned withsaid slot to allow insertion of one edge or end of said master sheettherein or may be moved to a further position in which said groove andslot are out of register so that said master sheet is nipped between oneinner edge of said slot and one edge of said groove, flanges or collarsprovided on said clamping member and engaging the endfaces of saidroller, co-operating stop means provided on one of said flanges orcollars and on the adjacent end face of said roller to limit movement ofsaid clamping member between its open and closed positions, and a springdetent adapted to retain said clamping member in either of saidpositions.

10. A manifolding machine comprising a stationary frame, a pair ofrollers between which a master sheet and a moistened copy sheet may bepassed in pressure contact, one of said rollers being formed with alongitudinal recess which is spaced from the peripheral surface of saidroller and connected thereto by a slot, a clamping member mounted insaid recess and extending substantially the whole length of said roller,said.

clamping member having a longitudinal groove therein and being turnableabout an axis parallel to'its length, whereby said groove may be alignedwith said slot to allow insertion of one edge or end of said mastersheet therein or may be moved to a further position in which said grooveand slot are out of register so as to clamp said master sheet, a pinmounted on said stationary frame opposite to the end of the rollercarrying said master sheet, a bearing for said pin in said frame, saidpin being movable endwise and turnable in said bearing, a handle or itsequivalent provided on said pin, and projections at one end of said pinadapted to engage op ively with the adjacent end of said clamping memberon endwise movement of said pin, said clamping member being operable bya turning movement of said pin.

11. A manifolding machine comprising a. stationary frame, a pair ofrollers between which a master sheet and a moistened copy sheet may bepassed in pressure contact, one'of said rollers being formed with alongitudinal recess which is spaced from the peripheral surface of saidroller and connected thereto by a slot, a clamping member mounted insaid recess and extending substantially the whole length of said roller,said clamping member having a longitudinal groove therein and beingturnable about an axis parallel to its length, whereby said groove maybe aligned with said slot to allow insertion of one edge or end of saidmaster sheet therein or may be moved to a further position in which saidgroove and slot are out of register so as to clamp said master sheet, apin mounted on said stationary frame opposite to the end of the rollercarrying said master sheet, a bearing for said pin in said frame, saidbearing being formed with a slot which extends parallel to its axis,said pin being movable endwise and turnable in said bearing, projectionsat one end of said pin adapted to engage opera- 5 tively with theadjacent end of said clamping member on endwise movement of said pin,said clamping member being operable by a turning movement of said pin,and a cross-bar fixed to said pin and engaging in the slot in saidbearing so as to prevent said pin from being turned during itse'n'dwisemovement until said projections are in operative engagementwith said clamping member. 12. A manifolding machine comprising astationary frame, a pair of rollers between which a master sheet and amoistened copy sheet may be passed in pressure contact, one of said.rollers being formed with a longitudinal recess which is spaced from theperipheral surface of said roller 20 and connected thereto by a slot, aclamping member mounted in said recess and extending substantially thewhole length of said roller, said clamping member having a longitudinalgroove therein and being turnable about an axis parallel 25 to itslength, whereby said groove may be aligned with said slot to allowinsertion of one edge or end of said master sheet therein or may bemoved to a further position in which said groove and slot are out ofregister so as to clamp said master 30 sheet, flanges or collarsprovided on said clamping member and engaging the end faces of saidroller, a pin mounted on said stationary frame opposite to the end ofthe roller carrying said master sheet, said pin being movable endwise 35and turnable in said bearing, a head provided at one end of said pin,and a pair of diametrically 'opposed projections on said head, one ofthe flanges or collars on said clamping member having a. pair ofdiametrically opposed holes or'recesses therein, and said projectionsbeing adapted to engage operatively with said holes or recesses onendwise movement of said pin, said clamping member being operated by aturning movement of said pin.

13. ,A manifolding machine comprising a stationary frame, a pair ofrollers between which a master sheet and a moistened copy sheet may bepassed in pressure contact, one of said rollers being formed with alongitudinal recess which is spaced from the peripheral surface of saidroller and connected thereto by a slot, a clamping member mounted insaid recess andextending substantially the whole length of said roller,said clamping member having a longitudinal groove therein and beingturnable about an axis parallel to its length, whereby said groove maybe aligned with said slot to allow insertion of one edge or end of saidmaster sheet therein or may be moved to a further position in which said6 groove and slot are out of register so as to clamp said master sheet,a pin mounted on said stationary frame opposite to the .end of theroller carrying said master sheet, a. bearing for said pin in saidframe, said bearing being 65 formed with a slot which extends parallelto its axis said pin being movable endwise and turnable in said bearing,projections at one end of said pin adapted to engage operatively withthe adjacent end of said clamping member on end- 70 wise movement ofsaid pin, said clamping member being operable by turning movement ofsaid pin, a cross-bar fixed to said pin and engaging in the slot in saidbearing so as to prevent said pin from being turned during its endwisemove- 76 ment until said projections are in operative engagement withsaid clamping member, and spring means adapted to return said pin to itsinoperativeposition when said cross-bar is in alignment with the slot insaid bearing;

14. A manifolding machine comprising a stationary frame, a pair ofrollers between which a master sheet and a moistened copy sheet may bepassed, a spindle projecting at opposite ends of one of said rollers,separate helical compression springs acting transversely, upon oppositeends of said spindle to press said'roller against the other roller ofsaid pair, means provided on said other roller for clamping said mastersheet thereto, bearings for said roller spindle mounted on said framefor sliding movement towards or away from said other roller, an.oscillatable shaft carried by said frame, crank arms or theirequivalent fixed on said shaft, crank pins provided on said crank armsand each having ajtransverse hole therein, separate screw-threaded rodspivoted to said bearings and passing with clearance through the holes insaid crank pins, nutsscrewed on said rods and adapted to be lockedlongitudinally thereof, said nuts being engaged by said crank pins whensaid rods are moved to separate said rollers, washers slidable on saidrods but prevented from rotating relatively thereto, said helicalsprings being placed over said rods and engaged between said crank pinsand said washers, adjusting nuts screwed on to said rods to retain saidwashers and rotatable to vary the compression of individual springs, andmeans for locking said adjusting nuts in their adjusted position.

15. A manifolding machine comprising a stationary frame, a pair ofrollers between which a master sheet and a moistened copy sheet may bepassed a disc having a notch in its periphery and rotatable with one ofsaid rollers having means for clamping said master sheet thereto, anabutment on said frame, a shouldered pin disposed substantially radiallyof said' disc and slidable endwise in said abutment, a helicalcompression spring carried on said pin and engaged between the shoulderthereon and said abutment so as to urge said pin towards the peripheryof said disc,

a roller carried by the end of said pin and adapted to engage theperiphery of said disc, and a spring arm or bracket attached to saidframe and supporting said pin adjacent the roller carried thereby, saidarm or bracket being disposed approximately tangentially to said disc.

FRANK R. FORD.

